Eye-tracking research at the Department of Geoinformatics, Palacký University Olomouc focuses on understanding how people perceive, read, interpret, and interact with maps and geographic visualizations. By combining eye-tracking experiments with cartographic theory, cognitive science, and user interaction analysis, our research contributes to the development of more effective, understandable, and user-centred cartographic products.
The department has long-term experience in applying eye-tracking to a wide range of topics, including map complexity, map-reading strategies, interactive and mobile maps, 3D geovisualization, educational cartography, and gaze-based interaction. In addition to cartography, our research also extends to interdisciplinary studies in areas such as psychology, education, media studies, religious studies, and other fields where visual attention and user behaviour play an important role.
A key part of our research is the development of methods and tools for analysing eye-tracking and interaction data, including solutions such as GazePlotter and ScanGraph. These tools support detailed investigation of visual behaviour, scanpaths, and user strategies, helping to transform raw eye-movement data into meaningful insights.
The individual research topics of our team members are briefly summarized at the links below.
- Eye-tracking in cognitive cartography (Stanislav POPELKA)
- Eye-tracking in 3D visualization (Stanislav POPELKA)
- Eye-tracking for finding differences between respondent’s groups (Markéta BEITLOVÁ)
- Usability Evaluation of Interactive Cartographic Visualisations by Means of eye‑tracking (Tomáš VANÍČEK)
- Gaze-based interactions & GazePlotter development (Michaela VOJTĚCHOVSKÁ)
- Eye-tracking in map complexity evaluation (Alžběta BRYCHTOVÁ)
- Eye-tracking testing of data flow diagrams (Zdena DOBEŠOVÁ)
- Development of new tools